Country
DR Congo
Sector
Mining & Minerals
Intelligence Type
Project
Status / Stage
Under Construction
Estimated Value
USD Billion (Phase 4 capex) 2
Confidence
Confirmed
Latest Development
Africa’s largest copper mine and world’s second-largest by production. Phase 4 expansion targets 600,000 tpa by 2030. Phase 3 concentrator reached nameplate capacity 2025. Phase 4 involves new concentrator and smelter. DRC exported 955,000 tonnes copper in Q1 2026.
Project Details
Project TypeUnderground copper mine expansion — Phase 4 concentrator + smelter
Project OwnerIvanhoe Mines (39.6%); Zijin Mining (39.6%); Crystal River (0.8%); DRC government (20%)
Project DeveloperIvanhoe Mines
Start Date2024
Expected Completion600,000 tpa by 2030
Current PhaseConstruction
Funding StatusClosed
Latest Development (Detail)
Phase 4 underway. Phase 3 at nameplate capacity.
What Happens Next
Phase 4 smelter commissioning.
Commercial Opportunity
Africa's most commercially significant copper mine — smelter adds major processing value to the procurement chain.
Commercial Opportunity Intelligence
Commercial ReadinessCommercially Active
Source & Verification Trail
Last VerifiedAugust 2026
Source(s)Ivanhoe Mines quarterly reports; IEA World Energy Investment 2026; BISI August 2026
Source DateJune–August 2026